Gardening

Organic and Sustainable Gardening 101

Most people think organic gardening is about growing plants without using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. That’s just one aspect of it. Organic gardening is about trying to work in harmony with nature to cultivate an ecosystem where beneficial insects, natural predators, and soil microbes flourish alongside plants to encourage balance and health in the garden.

Practices used by home organic gardeners are simple, hands-on methods used for generations. These practices are sometimes called sustainable, meaning they preserve the long-term health and productivity of the garden while maintaining or improving (rather than depleting) its resources.

Other natural gardening practices, like composting, choosing disease-resistant plants, and mulching, are all aspects of organic gardening. Inspecting crops and using non-synthetic pesticides are other components. To tend your garden organically, you don’t have to convert 100 percent of your garden to organic practices all at once. Phase in growing organically by mastering one technique at a time.